Belgium: Lactose Market 2025

Lactose Market Size in Belgium

The Belgian lactose market shrank to $X in 2022, reducing by -12.2% against the previous year. In general, consumption, however, recorded a mild contraction. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

Lactose Production in Belgium

In value terms, lactose production contracted significantly to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a significant decline. Lactose production peaked at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Lactose Exports

Exports from Belgium

In 2022, after four years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of lactose and lactose syrup, when their volume decreased by -61.2% to X tons. In general, exports, however, saw a prominent increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 184% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2021, and then fell dramatically in the following year.

In value terms, lactose exports shrank significantly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, saw a remarkable increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 68% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2021, and then fell sharply in the following year.

Exports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons) was the main destination for lactose exports from Belgium, with a 52% share of total exports. Moreover, lactose exports to the Netherlands exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, France (X tons), sevenfold. Spain (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 7.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to the Netherlands totaled +15.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (-7.2% per year) and Spain (+12.8% per year).

In value terms, the Netherlands ($X), France ($X) and Greece ($X) were the largest markets for lactose exported from Belgium worldwide, with a combined 36% share of total exports. The United Arab Emirates, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Iran, Romania and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 41%.

In terms of the main countries of destination, the United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +166.7%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average lactose export price amounted to $X per ton, growing by 47% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a perceptible curtailment. The export price peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major overseas markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United Arab Emirates ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Greece (+8.2%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Lactose Imports

Imports into Belgium

In 2022, lactose imports into Belgium dropped dramatically to X tons, declining by -21.3% compared with the previous year's figure. Over the period under review, imports, however, posted moderate growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 101% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lactose imports fell significantly to $X in 2022. Overall, imports recorded a mild downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 88% against the previous year. Imports peaked at $X in 2021, and then declined significantly in the following year.

Imports by Country

The Netherlands (X tons), Germany (X tons) and France (X tons) were the main suppliers of lactose imports to Belgium, together comprising 91% of total imports. The UK, Lithuania and Ireland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 7.1%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Lithuania (with a CAGR of +34.3%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($X), the Netherlands ($X) and France ($X) appeared to be the largest lactose suppliers to Belgium, with a combined 89% share of total imports. The UK, Lithuania and Ireland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 8.2%.

Among the main suppliers, Lithuania, with a CAGR of +30.2%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average lactose import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, with a decrease of -22.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price showed a pronounced decline. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 50%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($X per ton), while the price for the Netherlands ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+0.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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